QUESTION: Money is a big issue right now. I’m not working/or have been laid off from my job/or am in quarantine/ or need to stay home and look after my kids who no longer have school or daycare, or I’m sick or must look after someone else who is sick.ANSWER: The Canadian government has put together an emergency benefit package to boost the incomes of people facing these situations. The Canada Employment Response Benefit (CERB) application portal is expected to be open in early April 2020. This means that in order to receive EI, you do not need to meet the usual criteria laid out by Service Canada. Additionally, if you are at home sick due to COVID19 or in quarantine you can immediately apply for EI Sick Benefits to determine your eligibility.